PROLOGUE

"Royal Flush…"

The huge crowd cheered, half in disdain and half in joy. I plastered a seductive smirk in front of my target. Instead of being annoyed, panicking, or feeling afraid, he smiled softly at me, piercing me like a delicate dagger. The eyes would never lie. There's an indubitable intention in those ethereal emerald eyes and based on my years of experience, this man is boldly showing his interest in me. He wouldn’t even hide it.

"You are the first person to beat me in poker, Samantha," he calmly uttered.

The people who were watching started to gossip. I can feel their pierced interest in me, but I am more absorbed by the view in front of me. A man whose visuals are too good to be true, my target tonight. The very first mission I took right after my vacation in Paris.

Detective Agent Pierce Rossi is a threat to this underground organization and illegal casino. He’s been lurking in this den for quite some time already, and based on the report, while undercover as a regular poker player, he’s a government spy who’s slowly obtaining concrete evidence to bring this place down.

He’s my lucky charm tonight. This casino’s owner paid me an amount that even exceeds my imagination. He’s a catch, and they want him down as soon as possible.

But the thing is, he’s making me uncomfortable for some unknown reasons. His stares won't leave me as if he has found his most interesting prey. I gently bit my lower lip, not to seduce him but to ease the faint heat I was feeling inside. Damn, I was not informed that he was this handsome and hot.

Using both of my hands, I reached for all the chips and jewelry with my two hands on the table, collected them, and then pulled them to my side without breaking our gaze. These chips cost millions.

"Guess I am the luckiest tonight," I smiled.

"Getting a royal flush and picking my interest... you sure are the luckiest tonight." 

He crossed his fingers and rested his elbows on the table. He keenly looked at me, and I was finally the first one to avoid his gaze. I should really use this opportunity while I'm still in his care. Tonight, he is also my prey. This is a matter of who devours whom first.

"As you can see, it looks like I became a filthy rich person overnight," I calmly said as I looked at the chips and diamonds in front of me. 

"But I still want something else..." I playfully said through a mild whisper which he heard clearly.

I slowly glided my left fingers up through my right arm. His eyes followed my fingertips until they touched my lips. Then, I plastered on a seductive smile. His stares became more intense even after he released a chuckle.

"You are greedy," he said with a sheepish smile, then looked away. He's losing his cool.

He pushed away his chair, looked back at me, and then stood up with a serious face. He walked towards me while removing the black coat he was wearing, leaving him to only wear his white polo and tie. His build became more evident as it was finely defined by his polo. I clenched my hands. I am calming myself because of the strange pressure that I am feeling, especially as he is getting closer.

He suddenly covered my shoulders with his coat. It covered my bare shoulders, as I am currently wearing a tube top.

"This coat cost me millions of dollars."

After he said that, he bent down from behind and gently held both of my arms. From behind my back, he leaned his mouth parallel to my ears, which sent me shivering as I felt his breath on my neck. He then glided his hand on the table and placed a key in front of me with a chain engraved with the three letters ‘V.I.P.’.

"My appointment will end in an hour. Return this coat to my room. I'll expect you there, Samantha." That was his last whisper before walking away from me.

I was left frozen in my seat. When I felt that he was finally far away, I gasped and grabbed my chest as if I were under a lot of pressure to talk to a man.

"Damn it." I cursed myself as I quickly stood up and hurried to the bathroom. I leaned my hands on the sink while staring at myself in the mirror.

"Calm down, Amanda, I ordered myself, as if I could obey immediately.

I stared at the key in my hand. He's inviting me into his private room inside this casino. This is what I actually aimed for. I just can't figure out why I'm being this nervous. Is it because I briefly refrained from doing this job while on vacation? Damn, I didn't know experience could wear out that fast. Still, this is infuriating. I am annoyed that I am acting less confidently in front of him.

Setting all the thoughts aside, I took my phone to send an update to my boss; the plan is going smoothly. Then I went to the room dictated by the key I was holding.

After several minutes, everything is ready. I checked the surroundings to see if there are hidden cameras, I also planned an outline of where I could go if I happened to meet danger, and I've set up a hidden camera, so in case something happens to me, my trusted friend will locate this and see what really happened. Lastly, my outfit is ready. I am wearing his coat with a bikini inside. His private room appears to have a jacuzzi and I've already set the mood. The only thing missing is the target.

Speaking of the target, after a few minutes of waiting, the door finally popped him. His gaze traveled to my head and down to my toes.

"I came to return your c-coat."

It was supposed to be stated sexily, but I stuttered while facing the sight of him wearing a plain white shirt. You wouldn’t know or even imagine how hard I forced myself to maintain my composure. Oh dear, everything about him looks so illegal. 

I walked towards him. "Would you mind taking it off for me? My hand got tired waiting for you," I playfully said, which made him smirk.

"Silly," he said with a laugh. His hands made their way onto his coat, and then one by one he removed the buttons of his coat that covered my body up to my knees. My half-naked body made him stare and grit his teeth.

"Oh..." he said in a tone I cannot decipher. Is he amazed? Shocked? Disappointed? Then I looked up, and he slightly bowed to meet my gaze. I immediately regretted looking directly at him.

Those pair of emerald eyes are the perfect complement to his gorgeous face. It's ethereal. But his gaze eventually went to the jacuzzi.

"You prepared the jacuzzi?" he asked, trying to dodge the internal fire that almost consumed us.

"I figured you'd want to take a relaxing bath after a tiring day, so..." I turned to the jacuzzi, then looked back to him.

"Are you really sure you want to do this, Samantha? I'll give you a chance to run away right now," he stated this as a warning, yet he sounds so endearing.

"I won't run away," I said, gently caressing his jaw.

It was as if his patience had been cut short, and he suddenly attacked me with a gentle kiss. I was on guard, but my knees seemed weak, and that led us into something more erotic. His hands that are gently caressing my waist are intoxicating. My hands travelled to his neck and hair as I gasped softly. I was supposed to drive this man unconscious by giving him a drugged wine, but look at me now, it seems like I am the first one to be devoured. 

---

"Damn it," because thoughts started sinking into my brain after everything we did tonight.

I looked at my companion, and he's already resting his head while his eyes are closed. Looking at him, I realized that I am not the only one who’s worn out from having sex for hours.

He opened his eyes, which immediately mirrored mine. Those emerald eyes—I can't help but compliment them every time they meet my gaze. But then the show must prevail. My eyes were set on him as he reached for the wine that was next to him. He looked at me and even offered me the glass first.

"Do you need a drink?" he asked me gently. I declined with my head gestures. Why does he care?

He chugged everything until the very last drop. Now, I can conclude that my job here would be a lot easier. I silently watched him as he gulped the wine with his motile thyroid cartilage.

"You should spend the night here," he said in a manner that he's almost whispering. 

"Yeah, I would. It's your responsibility for draining all my energy," I said, because honestly, I am too tired to drive myself home.

He got up and then carried me like a very light object. There's no shade of struggle in his face, as if my weight is nothing. I was shocked, but I immediately deprived myself of overreacting and observed what he was going to do with me. Does he want another round? But then, as we arrived in his huge bed, he laid me down gently like a gentleman, a benign lover. 

It wouldn’t be a surprise if several women are head over heels for him. As he lay down beside me, he covered our naked bodies with a comforter.

"I'm sleepy. I'm sorry, let's sleep now," he gently stated while his eyes were already closed. I was mesmerized even with his side view.

"O-okay..."

After a deafening silence, Pierce fell asleep. The pills took a toll on him faster than I expected. I immediately got up and gently shook his body to confirm that he's fast asleep.

I stood and covered my body with a towel and began searching his drawers. I can't help but stare at him from time to time, admiring his beauty for the nth time. I finally accepted that this man is my type. Well, I guess he’s my crush. If only he weren't a cop, he could've been a great choice.

A call interrupted my thoughts and I slightly panicked because the noise might wake Mr. Rossi up.

"How are you there?" boss asked.

"This is driving me crazy. I will resign tomorrow," I complained.

He laughed. "That's impossible; you're extravagant, Amanda."

I rolled my eyes even though I couldn't see him.

"Don't worry, he will be there after a while. His game is almost over.

"Who?" my brows furrowed. Is he giving me a new job right now?

"What do you mean who? Of course, Mr. Rossi, your target. He's here, Amanda. Playing poker."

My eyes widened and silence occupied the room as I stared on Pierce.

"Boss, you see, I just fucked a man..." I emphasized every word. "...and this man is supposed to be Mr. Rossi. I think you're mistaken. Maybe you got the wrong person there."

"Mr. Rossi!" I heard him shout from the other line. "Well, I was just curious if you would sit for another game with me?" 

A man's voice answered my boss' question and they even had a small chat. While listening, I was dumbfounded, and my mind was blown away when I realized what was happening.

"Amanda..." he spoke with authority. "Whoever's with you, that's not Mr. Rossi. You had the wrong person. Get out of there as soon as you can."

"W-wait, boss..." I looked around. "Damn it!"

I screamed loudly and looked for a polo shirt in his closet. I stared back at the man who's still fast asleep and after I found a polo shirt that fits my entire body, I cursed myself a couple of times, quickly puts it on, and then sped off regardless of how my vulva is still aching.

"Damn it all!" I cussed loudly while running like a mad child.

I am Amanda Urduja. My life is filled with illegal work and lavishes, but I've never messed up a task this badly. This is the first time I've messed up; I swear.